The world observes April 7 of each calendar year as the World Health Day to make the people conscious about their health. Health is the most valuable possession. Disease robs life of all its peace and pleasure.
A sick person is not only a burden to himself but to his own kin and the entire society. Over and above, a sick person is a menace to everyone in the neighbourhood. There are various diseases which are contagious. Thus when there is an outbreak of a contagious disease, it spreads fast. When it takes an epidemic proportion, it takes a heavy toll of life.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a condition of complete physical, spiritual and social well-being. Self-discipline, yoga and vegetarian diet are best for promoting a longer life span.
Daily exercise is necessary to keep the body fit. Fresh air and sun are always good for proper longevity. One should live in a well ventilated room and house. At present all the cities and towns are rising vertically and horizontally, preventing free circulation of air. Recreation and outdoor activities for a man are most important for a healthy life.
Retiring and sleeping out of doors are always good. In urban life, it is not possible but rooftops can be utilized for this purpose. Yoga practice of deep breathing keeps lungs and the entire body of man fit for sound mental as well as physical conditions.
One should maintain discipline in his food habits. Over eating is extremely bad, which also amounts to national wastage of food. As far as possible, meat and highly spiced foods should be avoided. Greedy eating should also be done away with. Chewing slowly and thoroughly is the best way of taking food. Evacuation of bowels daily is the best way of keeping intestine clean for healthy functioning.
A natural lifestyle should be maintained. Erectness in standing, sitting and walking should be followed. The principle of sanitation should always be followed to keep a disease -free habitation.
The Swachha Bharat Aviyan launched by the Central Government is one of the best means to live in a healthy environment. Every individual needs to make effort at personal level for keeping the habitation clean and green. Sanitation should be a mission of life and maintenance of cleanliness should be a part and parcel of one’s life to stay healthy both mentally and physically. Seven to nine hours sleeping daily is advisable; over working is harmful and fatigued body should be given rest. Anger and worry should be avoided.
The WHO should take a lead to prevent pollution of earth specially the air, water and food, which is always detrimental to healthy life of all living world. Man is a principal polluter of earth. Time man should grow conscious about it and take step to moderate his life style so that he neither destroying his own life nor the environment in which he lives with others. It is unfortunate that the culture of consumerism and free trade economy has made life too competitive. Man has grown too selfish and is eyeing self aggrandizement. Spiritualism from the life is diminishing very fast.
For the first time India is going to join in an elite club of the world in its fight against pollution. Garbage should be recycled into manure and other usable products. Not only the Ganga or the Yamuna, but all the rivers of India should be made pollution-free. An excess use of chemical fertilizer spoils the quality of mother earth. There must be a limit to use of chemical fertilizer in different soils and for different crops. It is a common practice that traders are applying attractive artificial colours to food grains and vegetables for quick and better sale. But consuming contaminated foods leads to health hazards. Now the world statistics has observed that one in every 250 persons is suffering from autism, which is very dangerous for society and nation.
Sustainable development means improving quality of human life. Health is an asset of human being and also of a nation and of entire globe. So, the WHO should work for sound ecological management.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel No: 9937460649)